Category: Financial Planning
2025 Medicare Updates with Carly Rosswurm

2025 Medicare Updates with Carly Rosswurm

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What do the latest Medicare changes mean for your future? 

Join Nicole Romito and special guest Carly Rosswurm, Director of Medicare Solutions at Ash Brokerage, as they unravel recent updates to Medicare, the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act, and more. Carly brings 19 years of expertise in Medicare solutions and breaks down the essentials you need to know, whether you’re approaching 65 or advising a loved one.

Nicole and Carly discuss:

  • An update on the $2,000 cap on prescription drug costs [00:08:48]
  • The end of the donut hole in Medicare [00:10:55]
  • The CMS Final Rule’s influence on insurance commissions [00:14:28]
  • The capped insulin prices [00:16:52]
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Nicole Romito: 

Connect with Carly Rosswurm:

About Our Guest: 

Carly Rosswurm is the Director of Medicare Solutions at Ash Brokerage. Carly graduated from Indiana University with a degree in business and a concentration in marketing. Since then, Carly has always focused on the realm of Medicare. She has been Life & Health licensed for 17 years, and has experience in Medicare marketing, contracting, compliance, continuing education, and sales. 

With the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003, Carly first got involved in Medicare when the Part D plans were first mandated, and Medicare Advantage plans were first coming into the market. Through continuing education courses, Carly has offered licensed agents and advisors classes on the importance of knowing Medicare basics, along with the difference between Medicare Advantage plans versus traditional Medicare Supplements. 

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How Economic Data Shapes Our Financial Outlook with Ben Audley (Ep. 61)

How Economic Data Shapes Our Financial Outlook with Ben Audley (Ep. 61)

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Is the economy thriving, though the news and your instincts tell you otherwise? 

Let’s unravel the “vibe” disconnect—where feelings meet facts with Ben Audley, a senior advisor at Private Vista. With help from host Nicole Romito, he tackles the intriguing gap between personal financial feelings and actual economic data. He also dives deep into the so-called “Vibe Session,” highlighting how Americans feel great about personal finances yet gloomy about the broader economy.

Nicole and Ben chat about:

  • The surprising strength of the American economy post-pandemic: [00:07:45]
  • Why wages are outpacing inflation for most Americans: [00:20:42]
  • How the wealth of the bottom 50% has nearly doubled recently: [00:22:01]
  • Examining high-interest subjects like inflation and recession predictions:[00:30:45]
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Nicole Romito: 

Connect with Ben Audley:

About Our Guest: 

Ben Audley began his financial services career in 2018, driven by a fascination with macroeconomic trends and global affairs. Starting in the wealth management department of a firm in suburban Chicago, he quickly learned the importance of building strong, trust-based client relationships. His goal is to become a trusted advisor for all clients, helping them navigate their financial journeys and achieve their personal Private Vista. Outside of work, Ben is passionate about spending time with friends, family, and his two dogs, traveling, sampling local cuisines, reading, and engaging in competitive Wisconsin sports, all while maintaining an active lifestyle. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and International Studies from UW-Madison.

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Why Insurance Coverage Matters More Than Ever with Courtney Eber and Tyler Banks (Ep.60)

Why Insurance Coverage Matters More Than Ever with Courtney Eber and Tyler Banks (Ep.60)

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Are you financially prepared for nature’s curveballs?

Nicole Romito sits down with Courtney Eber, Vice President of Alliant Private Client, and Tyler Banks, Executive Vice President of Alliant Client Insurance, to break down the challenges and strategies surrounding personal risk management in the face of climate change. They delve into how extreme weather patterns are changing the landscape of insurance policies and what precautionary steps affluent families can take to safeguard against unexpected losses.

Courtney and Tyler discuss: 

  • The importance of having comprehensive coverage: [00:11:15]
  • Proactive measures to mitigate risk: [00:05:48]
  • The impact of climate change on insurance premiums: [00:13:31]
  • Higher deductibles and self-insurance considerations: [00:15:46]
  • Navigating liability exposures in our digital age: [00:19:17]
  • And more

Connect with Nicole Romito: 

Connect with Courtney Eber:

Connect with Tyler Banks:

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Empowering Your Financial Future Post-Divorce with Delaney Orozco (Ep.59)

Empowering Your Financial Future Post-Divorce with Delaney Orozco (Ep.59)

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What’s the biggest issue in a divorce? Hint: It’s not the relationship.

Nicole Romito welcomes her colleague Delaney Orozco, CFP®, back to the show to dive into the complex world of managing finances during a divorce. With a focus on empathy and practical advice, Nicole and Delaney outline a three-phase approach to help listeners navigate this challenging life event. 

Nicole and Delaney discuss: 

  • The importance of building a support team 
  • Why you should call your financial advisor once divorce has been determined
  • Emotional aspects of financial assets: from pensions to your home
  • Gathering data and understanding your financial picture
  • Looking ahead: crafting the vision for your future life post-divorce 
  • And more

Previous Episodes of Interest:

Connect with Nicole Romito: 

Connect with Delaney Orozco:

About Our Guest: 

Delaney Orozco, CFP®, began in the financial services industry in 2015 as a service advisor. Throughout her career, she has focused on finding the intersection between the day-to-day processes of the financial world and bigger-picture planning, with the goal of assisting her clients in achieving their private vista. Delaney also has a deep passion for developing guides for her clients, helping them navigate the psychology behind finance and the numbers they see on the page. Her experience as a collegiate athlete has equipped her with the work ethic and dedication necessary to perform at a high level, which she hopes to offer her clients.

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2025 Market Projections with Jeremy Bell (Ep.58)

2025 Market Projections with Jeremy Bell (Ep.58)

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How did the markets dance through 2024, and what’s on the horizon for 2025? 

Nicole Romito and Jeremy Bell, Chief Investment Officer at Conway Investment Research, reflect on the financial landscape of 2024. They discuss the performance of U.S. equity markets, the volatility in fixed income, and the outlook for 2025. They emphasize the importance of a strategic investment plan, diversification, and staying invested for the long term despite market fluctuations. 

Nicole and Jeremy discuss: 

  • U.S. Equity Market Overview: A year of strong performance amid global noise
  • Insights into the Fixed Income Market: Navigating interest rate volatility
  • 2025 Projections: Opportunities in U.S. equities and asset class rankings
  • Investing Strategies: Timing the market and risk management
  • And more

Connect with Nicole Romito: 

Connect with Jeremy Bell:

About Our Guest: 

Jeremy is a Principal and Chief Investment Officer for Conway Investment Research, LLC. He joined the firm in 2011 and chairs Conway’s Investment Committee which establishes the firm investment philosophy and process and ultimately oversees the implementation of recommendations made to clients. In addition to leading Conway’s research effort, Jeremy’s primary responsibilities include capital markets research, asset allocation modeling, alternative investment manager due diligence, and management of key client relationships.

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Finding Purpose Beyond Financial Independence with Jeff Toner (Ep. 57)

Finding Purpose Beyond Financial Independence with Jeff Toner (Ep. 57)

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Are you navigating the maze of financial security but unsure of what’s next when you reach your goals?

Nicole Romito, alongside Jeff Toner, CHFC®, RICP®, Partner at Private Vista, dives into the less-discussed side of financial planning—how to find purpose and meaning after achieving financial independence. Listen as they explore the big questions clients face once their financial goals are met, and how to prepare for the next chapter.

Gain insight as Nicole and Jeff discuss: 

  • The shift from financial security to finding purpose
  • How being financially independent changes your life
  • Why it’s not just about retiring; it’s about evolving
  • How to navigate the journey with no one-size-fits-all answers
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Nicole Romito: 

Connect with Jeff Toner:

 

About Our Guest: 

Jeff Toner, Partner at Private Vista, now almost 40 years into his career, has the luxury of looking backward and reflecting on the journey he has been on. Back in 1984, he didn’t know what a fiduciary was or what a financial planner did. What he did know was he wanted to help people with their finances and achieve their goals in life. He wanted to do it in a way that he wasn’t selling them a product but rather walking side by side with them as they moved toward their dreams. Jeff has been with them in moments of great joy and cried with them during their times of sadness. He has taught and educated them, but more importantly, he has been taught and learned from them as well.

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Transform Stress into Success With Brendan Cournane (Ep. 56)

Transform Stress into Success With Brendan Cournane (Ep. 56)

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Stress can help you thrive (to a certain degree).

Join Nicole Romito as she chats with professional development coach Brendan Cournane to uncover the surprising truths about stress. Through relatable insights and personal stories, they explore practical strategies for managing stress, especially during high-pressure times like the holiday season and year-end.

Key takeaways from this episode include: 

  • The different types of stress and why not all stress is bad
  • Personal and professional stress management techniques
  • How stress can affect relationship dynamics
  • Simple practices to help transition between work and personal life 
  • And more

Previous Episode of Interest:

Connect with Nicole Romito: 

Connect with Brendan Cournane:

About Our Guest: 

Brendan Cournane has served as a partner in a national law firm and various roles in the public sector, including general counsel of the Illinois finance authority. He has seen the malaise and burnout effects of what happens when one’s core values do not align with one’s profession. As a recovering lawyer, he is now a professional development coach helping his clients understand why they do what they do in life, and he helps them align their core values with how they work and live a happier life. Brendan is a certified professional coach and leadership dynamic specialist, as well as a long-time practitioner of mindfulness and meditation, and is a firm believer that happiness is a present attitude, not a future condition.

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The Risks of a Concentrated Portfolio With Randy Porzel (Ep.55)

The Risks of a Concentrated Portfolio With Randy Porzel (Ep.55)

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How do you manage concentrated stock portfolios? With the tech industry thriving, many investors are discovering that their portfolios are heavily reliant on a few major tech stocks, making it a challenging landscape to navigate.

Nicole Romito converses with her colleague Randy Porzel, CFP®, and RICP® from Private Vista. Together, they explore the intricacies of concentrated stock positions and their potential effects on your financial future. They discuss effective methods for assessing your stocks, examine strategies to mitigate overexposure, and share insights on how to maintain a robust financial plan.

Gain insight as this episode highlights: 

  • The risks of concentrated stock positions and their impact on your financial plan
  • Effective strategies for diversifying a portfolio and reducing risk
  • The unique benefits of strategic gifting and charitable donations using stock 
  • Tax considerations and how to leverage capital losses
  • And more

Connect with Nicole Romito: 

Connect with Randy Porzel:

About Our Guest: 

Randy Porzel’s financial services career began in 2006 as an intern and has worked his way up through every job at Private Vista. Randy has spent hours in meetings with clients, asking questions, and observing. He learned to recognize expectations, a client’s need for clarity, and how without it, there might exist an anxious future. It’s why Randy enjoys taking his clients through Private Vista’s planning process, using Private Vista’s tools that answer their questions and clear any uncertainty so that his clients can look forward to their idea of an enriched life.

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Building Your Financial Dream Team with Greg Bogdan (Ep.54)

Building Your Financial Dream Team with Greg Bogdan (Ep.54)

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Assembling a smart financial team could be the key to your long-term financial success. 

Financial planning isn’t just about the numbers; it’s about orchestrating a professional team that grows with you, helping further secure your financial future and peace of mind.

Nicole Romito sits down with Greg Bogdan, Senior Advisor at Private Vista, to discuss why having a well-rounded financial team is crucial. Learn the importance of avoiding a “team of one,” how to integrate your financial, legal, and tax advisors, and real-life stories illustrating the impact of a coordinated approach.  

  • The importance of a complete team: Understand why a single advisor may not be enough to cover complex financial needs.
  • The value of proactive planning and why regular updates are essential
  • Examples of how a coordinated team has simplified estate settlement and major financial decisions 
  • How to start building your financial team today

Connect with Nicole Romito: 

Connect with Greg Bogdan:

About Our Guest: 

Greg Bogdan enjoys creating lasting relationships as a trusted advisor to clients. He finds it most rewarding to help his clients think through their financial situations in developing a customized plan and path to achieving their goals. After walking clients through his process, Greg hopes that they come away feeling empowered to make informed financial decisions with the confidence of knowing how to achieve their vision of ‘financial independence’ while living a more enriched and fulfilling life.

With a busy, young family, outside of work and in between shuttling their girls (ages 7, 5, and 1) between activities, Greg, and his wife, Christi, enjoy cookouts and entertaining with their friends and family. During the summer months, they’re often found at nearby parks, going on walks with their dog, Clancy, or riding bikes as a family. They most enjoy summer vacations on the beaches of Cape Cod and the shores of Michigan. In the future, My Private Vista is to explore the country and instill their love of traveling in their girls.

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Managing Financial Markets During The Elections With Jeremy Bell (Ep.53)

Managing Financial Markets During The Elections With Jeremy Bell (Ep.53)

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As the U.S. elections approach, many investors find themselves questioning whether to adjust their portfolios in anticipation of potential market changes.

Nicole Romito is joined by Jeremy Bell, Chief Investment Officer for Conway Investment Research, to discuss the impact of US elections on financial markets and how to navigate the resulting volatility. With elections just weeks away, the conversation delves into whether you should adjust your portfolio in anticipation and explores if market performance favors one political party over another. 

Jeremy discusses: 

  • The importance of maintaining a long-term strategic investment plan regardless of election outcomes
  • Historical performance data showing the minimal impact of a political party on market returns
  • The role of the Federal Reserve and its recent actions in maintaining economic stability
  • Key economic indicators to watch and how they influence market predictions
  • And more

Connect with Nicole Romito: 

Connect with Jeremy Bell:

About Our Guest: 

Jeremy is a Principal and Chief Investment Officer for Conway Investment Research, LLC. He joined the firm in 2011 and chairs Conway’s Investment Committee which establishes the firm investment philosophy and process and ultimately oversees the implementation of recommendations made to clients. In addition to leading Conway’s research effort, Jeremy’s primary responsibilities include capital markets research, asset allocation modeling, alternative investment manager due diligence, and management of key client relationships.

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